bipolar

Linford Gayle is the Director of the Office of Consumer and Family Affairs for San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. While he currently plays an integral role in advocating for and empowering consumers on a county and statewide level, Linford was not always in such a position. Learn how he overcame a suicide attempt, bullying, and a co-occurring diagnosis of bipolar and substance abuse to help improve the mental health system and change society's views of those who struggle.

Roberto Roman is a mental health community support worker with Contra Costa Behavioral Health Care Services. After experiencing traumatic losses early in his life, Roberto discusses when and why he decided to seek treatment, his experience with hospitalization, and the oft-forgotten dangers of being misdiagnosed. Hear the lessons he gained from his mental health struggles, his thoughts on his diagnosis, and why he believes recovery is possible for anyone.

Get to know Yaffa Alter, the Empowerment Coordinator at PEERS and a native of the Caribbean country Trinidad and Tobago. Learn how she used poetry and writing to recover from trauma as a child, multiple hospitalizations, and self-abuse. Listen to her describe the moment she realized that her dreams and aspirations were in fact possible, and discover how she plans to use her own experiences to help her homeland in the future.

Join host Shannon Eliot as she chats with PEERS Spirituality Liaison Minister Monique Tarver and BOSS Executive Director boona cheema as they discuss the importance of spirituality in maintaining mental health and wellness.

Joshua Walters, a comedian living with bipolar disorder, chats with host Shannon Eliot about art, theatre, mental health empowerment, and his definition of madness.

Lisa Smusz, Program Manager for the Alameda County Social Inclusion Campaign, discusses the role of the campaign advisory board.

Alex Briscoe, Director of Alameda Health Care Services Agency, gives the opening address at the Social Inclusion Dialogue.